I'm back! I just finished writing this story, so I can tell you now that there are two more chapters left. Then maybe I'll do some one-shots or short stories on what comes after for Sam. She will show up in future "later" stories. ;)

...

It did feel good to be breathing fresh air again from the other side of gates and bars. Maybe this wasn't as bad of an idea as she had initially thought. In the argument with Spencer, she had forgotten how good it was to be on the outside.

Spencer pulled her into a hug and she smiled a little up at him.

"Glad you're coming back, kid."

Her smile deepened a little.

"Anywhere you need to stop before we head back to Seattle?"

Sam shrugged. "Well, if we have time, I should probably stop by my apartment with Cat and gets some of my stuff. You know, if it's not an inconvenience or anything."

Spencer chuckled. "That will definitely not be an inconvenience. That's probably the easiest thing to do of the day."

Maybe for him. For Sam, it was a lot harder.

...

"Sam! You're back!" Cat screamed ecstatically when she answered the door. Sam had awkwardly knocked, feeling uncertain if she was still welcome to walk in. Cat had seemed confused to see her for a brief second, then plastered her with an energetic hug.

"Just for a moment, Cat. Spencer came to get me from juvie" - she motioned to Spencer waiting in the driveway as introduction - "and he's taking me back to Seattle. I have to go," Sam said, her heart twinging as she saw the disappointment begin to register in Cat's face.

"But ... but ... but ..." she stuttered.

"It'll be okay, kid," Sam told her, guiltily wondering if she was lying to her small friend.

"Who will live with me?" Cat asked in a tiny, broken voice.

"Weren't you just on a vacation with your family? What about them?"

"They went away again. It was only for a little bit, as a break for my brother from the doctors he is with," Cat said disjointedly. Despair was deep in her eyes. "I was waiting for you, Sam! I was waiting for you!"

Sam reluctantly pulled Cat into a hug. It was either hug her or let her see the matching tears collecting in her own eyes.

"It'll be okay, Cat. Call some of your other friends - the ones who won't have to leave you."

"But they will!" Cat protested frantically. "They are going to colleges. I know! I heard them say!"

"Well, you could go to college too," Sam said uncertainly, even as she wondered if such a thing were even possible.

Cat shook her head wildly. "I don't want to go away! I don't, I don't, I don't!"

Sam sighed.

"Cat, listen, I ... I don't have a choice in this. I had to agree to go back to Seattle to get out of juvie. If I didn't, I'd be at risk of being transferred to the adult prison if I got into any more scuffles behind bars. They were watching me so close, Cat. This is my last chance to avoid having an adult record. I had to take it. That, and Spencer wasn't going to let me choose anything but going back with him." She tried to block out Cat's whimpering and instead grabbed a garbage bag.

She headed for their bedroom, expecting Cat to have taken over the entire space. She was surprised when - even after all this time- her side had remained intact. There was mess, obviously - Cat was never good at staying organized - but her bed and decor were still there. She could not help considering that if Cat had left her for that long, she would have completely redecorated. The thought gave her an unpleasant twinge. It was good that she was leaving. Clearly she was a bad friend. She did not deserve the loyal affection of a creature like Cat.

"Call Jade. She'll take care of you," Sam said weakly but with certainty. She may not have known Jade for as long as Cat had, but one thing was clear about the gothic girl. Although she had delighted in helping Sam get "revenge" on Cat a few months ago, she was also fiercely protective of Cat and always had the bubbly younger girl's best interests in mind. If Sam could not watch out for her any longer, then Jade it was.

That was true. It only took a few minutes before Sam felt Cat tapping her on the shoulder.

"Cat, I'm trying to pack."

"You'd better explain this to me or you won't be packing. I'll be kicking your ganky backside out of California myself," she heard a voice growl through the tininess of video call. She winced as she took the phone Cat shoved at her.

"Hi, Jade," she said weakly.

...

Just in case you can't guess, Jade isn't too happy. ;) Tune in to the next chapter to hear *that* conversation. :D